Mass Effect 2 Message Board  

Yes, universal translators are always issued to military personnel in the Alliance, and even if an alien isn't talking to Shepard, the translator translates the speech regardless. For all we know they are speaking their native language, or perhaps in the case of Asari they're speaking human English directly to Shepard as a courtesy.

Some species like Asari and such believe speaking to another fluently in their native language without a translator is a sign of great respect and courtesy to them, and they tend to learn many languages as possible in their millennium of life.

Is any of this actually explained in the game? If it is, it's probably in the Codex thing which I can never be bothered to read through. Lol

The codex is a wonderful amalgamation of helpful information, the likes of which is very seldom explained in-game. Take a moment to read/listen where applicable, it's very enlightening.

Also: Fornax: The Galaxy's Finest Xenophilia, featuring full 5-sensory stimulation, the first magazine to feature such technology in mass-distribution, and sells millions of millions of copies both digital and disc-based, and is fully viewable on an omni-tool or home console.

I personally wanna see my Shepard experiment with a Hanar...

I don't think the translator thing is not on the codex. Well, I could be wrong but, I always read all of what's written on the codex.

I just wish the Fornax magazine showed images. Lol.

When romancing Thane he calls you "Siha". Shepherd then says something along the lines of "I think my translator just glitched, what did you say?" in which Thane replies "It's a drell word, I'll tell you what it means later."

Thats the only reference I have noticed, but there could be more. What I thought was weird is that the translator wouldn't pick up on certain words.

edit: Nevermind. I just recalled that he explains that it is: Spoiler:

This would mean it was a name/drell mythology so the translator wouldn't automatically pick that up.

[Edited by SteamPunks, 4/10/2010 10:37:52 AM]